How to Use the TIG Welder: 4 Steps with (Pictures)

Those who delight in working with iron need a good TIG welding machine, even more so those who do it by profession. The term TIG stands for Tungsten Inert Gas. In practice, the welding process occurs thanks to using an electrode made of tungsten and inert gas.

But how to use the tig welder? Let me tell you step by step below:

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Use the TIG Welder

Although this type of welding is among the most used, it is equally true that it takes a little practice; in short, trying your hand at a Tig welding machine is not something so immediate.

Step 1. Essential Elements

To start, you need a series of things that we list immediately. A current generator, tungsten electrodes, a nozzle for supplying the shielding gas, a sheath with insulating properties, an electric power supply, and the electrode holder.

Finished list? No way. Previously we talked about the use of gas. Therefore, you need an inert gas cylinder.

Step 2. For Small Thicknesses

When do we use the Tig welder? Indeed when there is the need to weld thin pieces but be careful; in the case of steel, it is impossible to weld pieces with a thickness greater than 3 mm. An essential thing to keep in mind is to avoid using welding outdoors. This is because even a slight breeze can disperse the gas.

Step 3. The Electrodes

The only material suitable for electrodes for Tig welding is tungsten or its alloys. This is because this material resists very well the temperatures of the electric arc, in addition to its remarkable ability to emit electrons when there are very high temperatures in play.

As for their thickness, it ranges from 0.25mm to 6.4mm. The most common use of the electrode is that of the positive pole in contact with the piece to be welded; however, if you are dealing with light metals, it is the negative pole that must come into contact with the piece. 

Step 4. The Application of Gas

Where possible, the gas must always be applied to the two faces of the joint. The gases used in this type of welding are two:

1. Ar
2. He

These two gases can be used mixed or separately. Specifically, the Ar gas ensures the stability of the arc, the surface remains clean, but its protection is reduced.

It is very suitable when working on materials with little thickness. On the other hand, the latter should be used when dealing with thicker materials because it has a higher thermal conductivity than Ar gas and a higher degree of protection.

How Does the TIG Welding Machine Work?

The machine itself has the same operating principle as any other welding system; what changes substantially, however, is the welding method. The peculiarity of the TIG torch is given by the fact that the electrode is inserted in a sort of “gun” and is surrounded by a ceramic nozzle from which the inert protective gas flows, brought to the welding pool.

The welder must operate the torch with extreme skill by approaching the electrode to the piece to be welded, being very careful to prevent these two from coming into direct contact. Otherwise, the electrode will stick to the piece and stop welding. 

As a result, the TIG welding method is somewhat complicated and requires a lot of skill and experience, especially when using filler material. A protective gas jacket is also required on the opposite side of the weld. You can also learn how long does it takes to time for learning tig welding.

How to Adjust a TIG Welding Machine?

The parameters to be adjusted in a TIG welding machine are the amperes of the output current, the pulse, the pre and post-flow, and the gas flow rate. All adjustments vary according to the thickness of the pieces to be welded; the greater the thickness of the pieces, for example, the higher the number of Amperes of the output current must be. 

On the other hand, the pulse is used to keep the temperature of the piece to be welded under control by adjusting the number of pulses per second and the percentage of prevalence between the maximum and minimum voltage (balancing).

The pre and post-flow, on the other hand, are the regulations relating to the gas flow; the latter is set to start flowing at least 1 second before the arc starts (pre) and up to 7-8 seconds after its extinction (post) to continue to protect the weld pool during its cooling.

Experts Techniques for Doing Welding

This is the most sophisticated welding technique, it requires a lot of experience and allows us to obtain great results not only from a mechanical point of view but also from an aesthetic one. The great precision and tightness of TIG welding make it the leading welding in the aerospace industry.

It could be said that the defects of this welding method are the other side of the coin compared to the advantages. It is a very difficult welding method to learn and is economically very expensive due to the high quality of the result.

Some of the welding methods examined, in particular conditions, will leave a waste material called slag on the welding line, which must be removed with a special tool called a hammer and brushed well once the weld has cooled since it can affect not only the aesthetics but also the quality of the welding favoring breakages and corrosion.

To discover all the secrets of the different welding methods, it is recommended to read the articles dedicated to the individual processes, always accompanied by a selection of the best equipment available today.

FAQs

Is TIG Welding Hard to Learn?

MIG, TIG, Flux-cored Arc, and stick welding are the most common welding procedures, but TIG is the most challenging and rewarding. TIG welding is difficult to master until you have perfected it. This method necessitates complete focus and accurate movement of two hands, two eyes, and one leg.

What is TIG Welding best used for?

Pipeline and pipe welding are the most common TIG welding applications. It is, nevertheless, employed in various industries, including aviation and aerospace, as well as the sheet metal industry, when welding fragile materials and exotic materials like titanium.

Is TIG stronger than MIG?

According to the TIG welder, TIG is the strongest welding machine. This is because of its high productivity and excellent features. However, some people have even come to believe that a single company manufactures all TIG welders and are not interchangeable.